Chapter 273: Tension
“Alright, let’s head back too.”
Watching Hana-zō’s Pirate Ship disappear at the end of the sea, Kaido finally withdrew his line of sight, then moved his steps toward the Beasts Pirates Garrison.
And those Pirates who had come with him to see him off saw their own Boss finally move, so they too dispersed in their own ways… Some who hadn’t drunk enough continued to the tavern to drink, while those with tasks on hand returned to their posts.
Only Executives like Jhin, based on experience, roughly guessed that Kaido might have some major arrangements next, so they kept following behind him.
Sure enough, once everyone had mostly dispersed, Kaido spoke again:
“Jhin, I remember Burufaruto is on Hati Island right now, right? Call him back directly.”
“And those nearby, like Skipgate and Taolong stationed on the two sub-islands, have them set off for here now too.”
“Mr. Kaido, you this is…”
Calling back Burufaruto was one thing, but for Executives like Skipgate and Taolong dispatched to garrison islands, theoretically they wouldn’t be easily allowed to leave the garrison unless there was something major.
Unless…
“Uro-ro-ro-ro! Of course it’s an important meeting!”
Kaido directly stated the answer.
“Now with Hana-zō’s joining, I think our plan has the conditions to accelerate.”
“I’ve already become a bit impatient!”
The corner of his mouth suddenly cracked into a wild grin, Kaido spread his arms wide, as if to grasp everything in the world in his hands.
Hana-zō’s words not only made him even more determined in his dream of reshaping the world, but also acted like a catalyst, making him eager to do something right now.
“Wright, you’re in charge of contacting the other faraway Island Garrison Executives, have them prepare Den Den Mushi for communication.”
“Aoxi… as for you, go find your sister, and drag that brat Obei out of the laboratory.”
“Eh— Obei has to come too?”
Aoxi was somewhat reluctant.
Dragging someone was fine, just one call would do, but Obei…
Ever since the last time Aoxi messed up her security system into Piroro Piroro Da, Obei had become extremely sensitive to Aoxi approaching her laboratory, and would hiss even if she got a little too close.
Getting her these slender arms and legs to drag out that cat who hid in its nest all day and hissed at the sight of her might be a bit difficult…
“Anyway, call everyone who can be called. It’s time we discussed the next step of the plan.”
After dropping that line, Kaido swaggered off.
Although Burufaruto and the others were nearby, it would still take some time for them to rush back, so he could use this time to finish off the remaining wine from the banquet.
After all, the Beasts Pirates’ foundation was thin and couldn’t withstand such extravagance and waste~
……
“So, this is the reason you got dead drunk even knowing there was a meeting, and one personally initiated by you?”
A gentle yet emotionless voice echoed in the quiet hall.
In the Fenrir Island Meeting Room, Ra sat in the side seat, holding a golden quill and scribbling, while Wright beside her was quietly reporting something.
And the other attendees like Jhin and Burufaruto had already arrived, sitting upright with hands on their knees, making almost no sound.
They were admiring the strange patterns on the Meeting Room desk and floor while marveling at the wonders of nature and the ingenuity of Artisans.
This floor really is a floor~
“Um, I— drunk~”
Kaido, face flushed from the alcohol surging to his head, just opened his mouth to say something when he couldn’t help but let out a burp.
He was now standing all alone at the Meeting Room door, as if separated from everyone by an invisible barrier.
The wall clock in the room reminded him that he should have been seated in the specially made tall chair beside Ra half an hour ago.
Looking at the everyone already gathered early in the Meeting Room and the Den Den Mushi on seats in connected status as substitutes for those too far away, Kaido’s mind cleared a bit.
From the door to the main seat beside Ra was just a short few steps, though for a small one like Aoxi it might take a few more, but it wouldn’t take more than a few seconds anyway.
Yet Kaido hesitated to take these short few steps, even knowing everyone was waiting for him.
『Come to think of it, was the Meeting Room always this small? If I go in, won’t it be a bit cramped.』
『How about holding the meeting standing here this time? No real difference anyway, and standing at the door I can catch some sea breeze…』
『Yeah, as Captain, I should be able to hold meetings wherever I want.』
As Captain of the Beasts Pirates, theoretically Kaido’s power was unlimited, even something like ‘not entering the Meeting Room but just standing at the door to host the meeting’ should be fine… right?
Kaido thought this in his mind and was about to say it.
“Speaking of—”
“Kaido Captain, are you planning to stand there until the alcohol wears off?”
“Or do you need me to provide some quick sobering-up service?”
Ra still didn’t look up, just set down the quill in her hand, then flipped through and checked page by page.
Her tone was as gentle and pleasant as usual, with no personal emotions in it, just conversing with Kaido in a very ordinary tone as if chatting.
But everyone present instinctively tensed up!
Ra rarely showed emotions, and in many people’s memories, she always had that gentle expression with a faint smile, her joys and sorrows almost invisible on her face.
So it wasn’t easy to discern her mood.
But through some obvious small details, a rough judgment could still be made.
For example, normally Ra wouldn’t interrupt others speaking, even if they were spouting endless nonsense, she would patiently wait for them to finish before chiming in.
“…”
The air went quiet again…
Splash~
Splash~
Splash~
The sound of paper flipping continued, as if Ra was waiting for Kaido’s reply.
And everyone held their breath, silently counting the pages of paper in Ra’s hand.
『Three pages』
『Five pages』
『Eight pages』
『…』
『More? No more, right…』
Kaido at this point only hoped the materials in Ra’s hand would never end.
Smack!
A stack of paper was tossed onto the desk, making a smack sound.
?!
“Come in, let’s start the meeting.”
After finishing the materials, seeing Kaido still with no movement, just standing there slacking off, Ra could only lightly sigh.
“It’s already very late, don’t keep delaying everyone’s time any longer.”
『Phew~~~~~』*n
As if the mountain hanging overhead finally landed steadily, everyone including Kaido let out a long, long breath of relief in their hearts.
